Creating Branches—Git

When you are working in Git, you can create branches. Branches create a new development area for a file that is separate from the original. You can use branches so multiple translators can work in individual workspaces, or you can use them as a space to make major changes in your project without affecting the original (e.g., when translating large sections of text, using new translation memories or machine translation). Even if others will not be working on a file, you can still create branches if you want to edit your file and then refer back to its previous versions.

Do one of the following, depending on the part of the user interface you are using:

Ribbon Select the Source Control ribbon. In the Project section select Branch.

Right-Click If you have the File List open, right-click on any file and select Source Control > Project > Branch.

Local Toolbar In the local toolbar of the File List, click , then select Project > Branch.

The Branch Management dialog opens.

Click Create. The Create Branch dialog opens.

From the Source Branch drop-down, select the existing branch you want to use to create the new branch. Your new branch will copy the existing files from the source branch, but commits you make on the new branch will not affect the source branch.

In the Branch Name field, enter a name for your branch. Names cannot include spaces.

(Optional) If you want to switch the branch when you create it, select the Switch to branch check box.

Warning: You will not see a confirmation message when switching to a newly created branch. Be sure all of your current changes are committed before creating and switching to a new branch. If you have uncommitted changes, they will be lost. See Committing Source Control Files—Git.

Click Create. Your new branch is added to the "All branches" list. If you chose to switch to the branch, you can now begin working on the branch.

Select the View ribbon. In the Pane section select Source Control Explorer. The Source Control Explorer opens.

From the drop-down or the Home pane, select Branches. The Branches pane opens. In the pane, you can see your current branch, as well as lists of your published and unpublished branches.

Click Create. The Create Branch dialog opens.

From the Source Branch drop-down, select the existing branch you want to use to create the new branch. Your new branch will copy the existing files from the source branch, but commits you make on the new branch will not affect the source branch.

In the Branch Name field, enter a name for your branch. Names cannot include spaces.

(Optional) If you want to switch the branch when you create it, select the Switch to branch check box.

Warning: You will not see a confirmation message when switching to a newly created branch. Be sure all of your current changes are committed before creating and switching to a new branch. If you have uncommitted changes, they will be lost. See Committing Source Control Files—Git.

Click Create. Your new branch is added to the "All branches" list. If you chose to switch to the branch, you can now begin working on the branch.